American Airlines says “passed gas” did not force plane evacuation in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. – American Airlines is denying claims that someone “passed gas” on a plane Sunday afternoon, causing passengers to become sick and forcing everyone to be removed from the jet.

WNCN reports that the plane landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Sunday afternoon when the incident was reported.

People on the flight complained of headaches and nausea and had to be taken off the plane.

An airport spokesperson originally told WNCN the odor was caused by a passenger who “passed gas.” An updated statement from the airport referred to the incident a “medical call” after the planed deplaned “normally.”

“The medical call came in for someone affected by an odor after the plane deplaned normally,” the airport official said in the statement.

On Sunday evening, American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein said the plane was removed from service due to an odor and a mechanical issue — but not “passed gas.”

“We did have an aircraft from Charlotte to RDU this afternoon, that landed at 2:19 p.m. ET, and arrived the gate at 2:21 p.m. ET, that is currently out of service for an actual mechanical issue – and odor in the cabin. But it is not due to “passed gas” as mentioned,” Feinstein said.